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Basic Flat Stitching

Stitching is something that I don't really feel like I have the perfect answer. I've tried various methods, all being somewhat okay, but I haven't yet found that magic look. But I thought I'd go ahead and share one of my basic methods since it's easy and you never know, it might be just what you're looking for.

First I make the holes. You can make them as even as you'd like, but with this method I prefer it to be kind of messy and haphazard. I'm using a basic round brush at 20 px and I just made a bunch of random dots.

There are two methods I use to make the string. First I'll show you using the line tool.

Make a new layer and using the line tool I just make small lines connecting the holes together. Here I'm using a line with a weight of 8px.

To finish up I usually just add a slight drop shadow, although you can also play around with a bevel and texture if you want it to look more realistic.

For the second method I just freehand it using the brush. This make for an even more haphazard look, which I find that I quite like. I use the same round brush as with the holes, but with a small diameter. And then just play connect the dots. I've added a small drop shadow to this layer as well.

You make it look so easy. Bravo! I have never tried to make stitching myself, but earlier on in my designing I bought a style that made stitching out of any path. Soooo easy. But, yes, I do feel like it is cheating. xoxox Beth

I've done stitching using text along a path - like the underscore or hyphen or X - and then put the dots using a period. Then I add a shadow, etc. Its a little different in PSP since I don't have styles or textures, but it works out to about the same. I should learn how to do it in Photoshop. I have CS5, but I'm not all that comfortable with it. I'll have to check out some of the other tutorials here so I can get up to speed on my PSCS5.

This is great! I don't use any PS products but with many tutorials I am able to find the equivalent tools and follow your ideas. Just found this one and am looking forward to trying it! Thanks Marisa . . . you do make things look so easy!